The Odyssey is a ‘colossal piece of cinema’, critics say in rave reviews

Rave Reviews Hail 'The Odyssey' as a Cinematic Masterpiece

The Odyssey is a colossal piece - Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, has captivated critics with its bold storytelling and visual grandeur. Premiering in London last week, the movie—Nolan’s first since 2023’s Oppenheimer—has been lauded as a groundbreaking work that redefines modern cinema.

Cast and Premise

The epic, based on Homer’s ancient Greek poem, centers on Odysseus (Matt Damon), a king of Ithaca embarking on a treacherous voyage home from the Trojan War. Alongside him are Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong'o. The narrative weaves through mythical encounters, with Antinous, a cunning antagonist, vying for the queen’s attention during Odysseus’s absence.

Critical Acclaim

Reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with The Telegraph calling it "the film of the year" and Metro asserting it would "change cinema forever." The Times praised it as "a masterpiece in every way," while The Standard described it as "a colossal piece of cinema." Variety’s Guy Lodge highlighted its "gutsy vision," noting that "every few minutes, it delivers a setpiece that rivals the summer blockbusters of any era."

"A genuinely grand, gutsy vision, The Odyssey thrills generously for the bulk of its near three-hour running time. Every few minutes, it seems, it throws at its audience another mighty setpiece that, in almost any other summer studio spectacle, would be a climactic standout."

Further acclaim came from The Standard’s Nick Howells, who called the film "a far more astonishing experience" than Oppenheimer. Metro’s Tori Brazier dubbed it "a watershed moment for filmmaking," adding that it "somehow feels both the most Nolan-esque film I’ve seen, while being nothing like his previous works."

"It's somehow both the most Nolan-esque film I've seen, while being nothing like Oppenheimer, Inception, or anything he's previously made."

Technical Challenges and Strengths

While praise was widespread, some critiques pointed to the film’s audio choices. Critics noted difficulty hearing dialogue in certain scenes, a common issue in Nolan’s films due to his preference for using on-set recordings rather than re-dubbed lines. The Financial Times’s Danny Leigh remarked that "the use of certain words jarred me out of the past," questioning whether contemporary language was the best choice for the ancient tale.

"Nolan has called using contemporary language 'a no-brainer.' Respectfully, in this case, I would argue it was a brainer. Maybe it only clangs because the rest of the dialogue doesn't, and even a harsh judge is soon distracted."

Despite these notes, the ensemble cast was universally praised. Deadline’s Gregory Nussen highlighted Tom Holland’s performance, likening it to his Spider-Man role: "His portrayal captures the courageous naivety of a child striving to influence those much more cunning and physically capable than he." Holland’s character, he noted, "is bursting with newfound maturity—his strongest performance to date."

Nolan's Legacy

With The Odyssey, Nolan continues his signature style of intellectually rigorous, visually intense cinema. The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey observed, "Nolan’s stamp is all over the film—this is intellectual, brutalist, muscular Hollywood fare—yet it never wavers in its commitment to its source text." The film’s success underscores Nolan’s enduring ability to blend myth with modern spectacle.

Other notable works by the director include Interstellar, Dunkirk, Inception, and the Dark Knight trilogy. As Odysseus sets sail for Homer’s adventures, Nolan’s latest offering slips into gear, proving his status as a master of action-driven storytelling.